2013 Seat Toledo alternator

69
Controls and displays
Control lamps
Summary
The control lamps indicate certain functions or faults accompanied by an
audible warning.
When the ignition is switched on some of the warning lamps light up for
several seconds for the purpose of the control systems of the vehicle. These
warning lamps must switch off several seconds after the ignition is switched
on.
Handbrake⇒ page 70
Brake system⇒ page 70
Fasten your seat belt⇒ page 70
Alternator⇒ page 71
Door open⇒ page 71
Engine oil (red or yellow colour)⇒ page 71
Coolant temperature/level (red or blue colour)⇒ page 72
Power steering⇒ page 72
Electronic stability control (ESC)⇒ page 72
Traction control system (ASR)⇒ page 73
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)⇒ page 73
Rear fog light⇒ page 73
Bulb fault⇒ page 74
Emission control system⇒ page 74
Glow plug system (diesel engines)⇒ page 74
Engine electronics control (petrol engines)⇒ page 74
Particulate filter (diesel engines)⇒ page 74
Fuel reserve⇒ page 75
Airbag system⇒ page 75
Tyre pressure⇒ page 76
Liquid level in the window washer system⇒ page 76

Turn signals (left/right)⇒ page 76
Fog lights⇒ page 76
Cruise speed⇒ page 77 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

71
Controls and displays
Alternator 
If the control lamp  is lit up while the engine is running, the battery is not
charging.
Seek professional help. Have the car's electrical equipment inspected.
WARNING
If the vehicle has to be stopped for technical reasons, park it a safe dis-
tance away from moving traffic, switch off the engine and turn on the
hazard warning lights ⇒ page 101, Hazard warning light switch.
CAUTION
Additionally, if the warning lamp  lights up while driving, the warning
lamp  also lights up (cooling system fault). Stop the vehicle and switch off
the engine – Risk of engine damage! 
Door open 
If the control lamp,  lights up, one of the doors, the rear lid or the bonnet
is open.
WARNING
If the vehicle has to be stopped for technical reasons, park it a safe dis-
tance away from moving traffic, switch off the engine and turn on the
hazard warning lights ⇒ page 101.
Engine oil

The control lamp  flashes red (oil pressure low)
The informative display indicates:
Oil pressure. Switch off the engine! Instruction Manual!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and check the engine oil level
⇒  page 186
If the symbol flashes although the oil level is correct,  do not drive on. Do
not even run the engine at idle speed!
Seek professional help.
The control lamp  lights up yellow (insufficient oil level)
The informative display indicates:
Check the oil level!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and check the engine oil level
⇒ page 186
If the bonnet remains open for more than 30 seconds, the warning lamp
switches off. If the engine oil is not refilled, the warning lamp lights up
again after 100 km (62 miles).
The control lamp  flashes yellow (oil level sensor faulty)
The informative display indicates:
Oil sensor. Workshop!
If the engine oil level sensor is faulty, The warning lamp  flashes various
times after the ignition is switched on and an audible warning is given.
Seek professional help. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

160Driving and the environment
Make less short journeys
Fig. 112 Fuel consump-
tion in litres per 100 km
(miles) at different tem-
peratures
In short journeys fuel consumption quantity is incomparably high.
Therefore we recommend avoiding journeys of less than 4 km (2
miles) when the engine is cold. Immediately after starting, a cold engine consumes the maximum amount
of fuel. After driving approximately one kilometre (0.62 miles), consumption
drops approximately 10 litres per 100 km (62 miles). Consumption returns
to normal only after the engine and the catalytic converter have reached op-
erating temperature.
In this context, this is also determined by the outside temperature. Fuel
consumption is different for the same journey, as shown once at +20 °C
(+68 °F) and again at -10 °C (+14 °F) ⇒ Fig. 112. Your vehicle will consume
more fuel in winter than in summer. Maintain correct tyre pressure
Maintaining correct tyre pressure saves fuel.
Always maintain correct tyre pressure. Insufficiently tyre pressure increases
rolling resistance. This leads not only to increased fuel consumption, but al-
so tyre wear and deteriorated vehicle behaviour.
Always check the tyre pressure when the tyre is
cold.
Do not carry unnecessary loads
Transporting unnecessary loads also consumes fuel.
Every additional kilo of weight increases fuel consumption. Check for un-
necessary objects in the luggage compartment.
The weight of the vehicle considerably influences fuel consumption, espe-
cially in urban traffic where frequent acceleration is required. As a general
rule, every 100 kg of weight increases consumption by approximately 1 litre
per 100 km (62 miles).
Your vehicle consumes almost 10% more fuel than the normal amount at a
speed of 100 – 120 km/h (62 – 75 mph) when a roof carrier without a load
is fitted. 
Save electrical energy
An electrical current is generated with help from the alternator when the en-
gine is running. The more electrical devices there are connected to the on-
board network, the larger the quantity of fuel is required for the alternator
service. This is why electrical devices should be disconnected when they
are not required. 

182Checking and refilling levels
● Water allowed to collect in the fuel filter can cause engine faults.
● Your vehicle is not prepared for use of biofuel (RME) and, therefore, this
fuel must not be used for refuelling or driving. The use of biofuel (RME)
could cause serious damage to the engine or the fuel system. 
Engine compartment
Introduction
Always be aware of the danger of injury and scalding as well as the risk of
accident or fire when working in the engine compartment, e.g. when check-
ing and refilling fluids. Therefore, always observe the warnings and follow
all general safety precautions. The engine compartment of any motor vehi-
cle is a potentially hazardous area .
WARNING
● Never open the bonnet if you see steam, smoke or coolant escaping
from the engine compartment. Risk of scalding! Wait until no steam or
coolant can be seen before opening the bonnet.
● Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
● Engage neutral in vehicles with manual gearbox and move the selec-
tor lever to position P in vehicles with automatic gearbox.
● Apply the handbrake firmly.
● Wait for the engine to cool down.
● For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be closed when the vehi-
cle is moving. Therefore, after closing the bonnet always check that it is
properly secured.
WARNING (Continued)
● Should you notice that the bonnet is not safely secured when the ve-
hicle is moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet prop-
erly. Risk of accident!
● Keep children away from the engine compartment.
● Do not touch hot engine parts. Risk of burns!
● Never spill fluids on hot engine compartments. These fluids can
cause a fire (e.g. antifreeze in coolant).
● Take care not to cause short circuits in the electrical system, especial-
ly when working on the battery.
● Never touch the radiator fan when the engine is hot. The fan may start
running suddenly!
● Do not unscrew the cap on the coolant expansion tank when the en-
gine is hot. The cooling system is under pressure!
● Protect face, hands and arms from any hot steam or hot coolant re-
leased by covering the cap with a large, thick rag when opening the ex-
pansion tank.
● Do not leave any objects, such as cloths and tools, in the engine com-
partment.
● When working underneath the vehicle, secure it so that it cannot roll
away and support it safely on suitable supports. The hydraulic jack is not
sufficient for this purpose. Risk of injuries!
● If any tests have to be performed with the engine running, there is an
extra safety risk from rotating parts, such as the drive belt, alternator
and radiator fan, etc., and from the high-voltage ignition system. You
should also note the following:
–Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
– Keep away from moving engine parts when wearing jewellery,
loose clothing or long hair. Risk of fatal injuries! All jewellery must be
removed, hair tied back and close-fitting clothing worn.
● Observe the following additional warnings if work on the fuel system
or the electrical system is necessary.
–Always disconnect the battery from the on-board network.
– Do not smoke. 

194Checking and refilling levels
–After charging the battery: Switch off the battery charger and
disconnect the cable.
– Remove the charger cables.
– If necessary, reconnect both battery cables to the battery (first
the “positive” cable, then the “negative” cable).
When charging with a low current (e.g. with a small battery charger), the
battery does not have to be disconnected. The instructions of the battery
charger manufacturer must be followed.
Use a current equivalent to or lower than 10% of the battery capacity to fully
charge the battery.
Before “fast-charging” the battery however, both battery cables must be
disconnected.
“Fast-charging” a battery is dangerous and requires a battery charger and
special knowledge. Fast charges should be performed by an official techni-
cal service.
The battery caps should not be opened while the battery is being charged.
CAUTION
In vehicles fitted with the “START-STOP” system, the charger cable cannot
be directly connected to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery but
must be attached to the engine earthing point ⇒ page 216. 
Disconnecting and connecting the battery
The following functions will either be inoperative or will not work properly
after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery:
effectInstallationSetting the clock⇒ page 60The multifunction display data is deleted⇒ page 61
Note
We recommend having the vehicle checked by an authorised SEAT dealer to
guarantee the correct working order of all electrical systems. 
Changing the battery
A replacement battery must have the same capacity, voltage, current rating
and size as the original. The appropriate types of battery can be acquired
from authorised SEAT dealers.
We recommend having the battery changed by an authorised SEAT dealer,
where the new battery will be correctly installed and the original disposed
of in line with regulations. 
Automatic disconnection of electrical equipment
When heavily-charging a battery, the programme selected by the electrical
system control unit prevents the battery from automatically discharging.
This may result in the following:
● Increase in idling speed so that the alternator can supply more current
to the electrical system.
● The performance of certain electrical components could be limited or
some may switch off temporarily, e.g. the heated seats, the heated rear win-
dow, the 12V power socket. 